Rick--I'm glad you like "geriatico." It's one of my favorite tempos for learning new pieces of music! (Another is "turtleissimo" which is more sprightly)

I happen to find the variant of Soldier's Joy I first learned fairly easy to play...however, I have since discovered two variants (one version Randy Scruggs plays on the Crown of Jewels CD and the other is on a friend's unattributable homemade tape) that I like much, much better and cannot for the life of me figure out. My version doesn't have anywhere near as many notes in it, which is probably why I can play it relatively easily.

Jeremiah--Tim has worked out a terrific dual lead part that harmonizes with the melody of Miss McCloud's reel. I'm going to suggest we try it at a slower pace and see if we can get the "lovely bounce and vitality" to which you refer.

V